'79-82 Capri/Mustang convertibles

slimwhitman · Post by **slimwhitman** » Wed May 04, 2011 5:22 pm

This is somewhat ASC McLaren related, so I think it belongs here. It would get lost in the “anything goes” forums.

I have been researching the coach convertibles of the ‘70s & ‘80s for several years. I have gotten a lot of information on all the Mustang/Capri convertibles from the ’79-82 era. There were many companies converting/licensing them. Probably more than any other model available in the U.S. (a close contender would be the ’79-83 Cadillac Eldorado). I know that Sandy and others have some knowledge here, so I thought I would ask for some clarification and additional information from anyone reading this. There is some good info in the resources page, but it is very incomplete and is now 7 years old.

Here are the conversion companies I know about (for ’79-82 Mustang/Capri):
A.H.A. Manufacturing (Pony)(80,81,83),
American Convertible Corp.(NCE)(80),
American Pullman(81)
Armbruster/Stageway(81),
ASC McLaren(84,85,86,87,88 ),
Barrows Ent.(Compliment)(81,82),
Bivouac Industries(82),
Capital Coachworks(81),
Coach Builders Ltd.(81,82),
Con-Tec(81,82),
Convertible Specialists Inc.(82),
Elan Convertible Ltd.(81),
Grandeur Motor Co(81),
Intermeccanica C’abrio(80,81,82),
Milan Coachbuilders(80),
Munich Motor Works(81),
National Coach Engineering(80,81,82),
Silcco(80,81),
Steas Industries(81,82),
Tomaso(Swift)(79,80)

I was hoping some of you could post photos of some of these conversions and maybe some brochure scans. It would be nice to have a way to I.D. some of these different conversions. Some will be the same conversion that was licensed to several regional shops, so it would be good to know which those might be. Thanks for your help.

On a side note that is specific to ASC-McLaren; I have seen the labels of several ’85-86 Camaro/Firebird conversions that had the ASC-McLaren door label, not the standard “ASC” label. Remember that these ’85-86 convertibles were not “factory” convertibles, but were dealer ordered (much like the ASC-McLaren Capri/Mustang).

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Wed May 04, 2011 7:17 pm

Con-Tec & Barrows are they only ones that I NEVER heard of.
I am somewhat familiar with the others.

I over ate today, and I do not feel very well, WHEN I do that. Chemo prefers small meals. I was a pig !

Post by **negusm** » Wed May 04, 2011 8:02 pm

http://www.ascmclaren.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=131

Some brochures here:
http://www.ascmclarencoupe.com/Literatu ... rature.htm

-Mike

darkhorse40 · Post by **darkhorse40** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:13 am

I posted two pics in the album under "other" that are of the Intermeccanica (oops... it was bivouac, and I posted the pics under the wrong name... also adding pic of an invoice of some kind. Not sure where I got them from. They don't show the converted area very well.

http://www.ascmclaren.org/phpBB/album_cat.php?cat_id=15

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu May 05, 2011 1:10 pm

I looked at all your car pics. Nice !!

Reason I posted that Porsche, is that it was factory painted in Coral Red, a 1990 ascMcLaren regular color choice. One was made. As you know, Henry has it. The original owners treated it like you would a a Hummer Ststion Wagon. Shame

slimwhitman · Post by **slimwhitman** » Thu May 05, 2011 3:12 pm

The Barrows:

The Con-Tec

Sandy, I hope you can update your observations. You surely have learned more since 2004.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:39 pm

Who can keep track of so many? That con-Tec with those 100+/- snaps would be a regal pain to do when a sudden cloud passes over, full of rain-water! I think that the ascMcLaren was the best application of the idea. But I love the latest one from Peter Muscat with the power folding hardtop.......but..... whwere is Mr. Muscat ? Last I heard, he was going to send to me a 4-page brochure on it (several copies) and I was going to go area Ford stores to show and test the interest of dealers.
The info never arived.

Every great once in a while (2 X @ year) he calls me all ExCiTeD over a new idea. Then, I do not hear from him for like 10 months....The retractable was really neat looking, I got excited over it & was ready to call on dealers and try and sell it to them.
I never recieved anything further from Peter Muscat.

It is about 10 months, later....now.

slimwhitman · Post by **slimwhitman** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:57 pm

Sandy wrote:That con-Tec with those 100+/- snaps would be a regal pain to do when a sudden cloud passes over, full of rain-water!

The snaps are only there for when you want to use the soft tonneau cover over the retracted top. That would only occur when you wanted to really dress up the car for a parade or car show...not every day use.

fjl1965 · Post by **fjl1965** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:12 am

Slim,

I can assure you that these snaps are part of the convertible top and it can be frustrating putting the top up and down, that's why I choose to keep the top in the "tub" and only drive on nice sunny days...